this -OR- THIS: Hermes Constance Bag

In a new series from my only slightly-less-new blog called "this -OR- THIS" I examine how buying one thing means a whole lot of no things.

Before I begin this exercise, I should preface by saying that I'm not really a "bag" person. Now, for some people, bags are their thing. Me. I'm what you would call a "shoe" person.

So, when I find myself pining for a bag, there's usually no going back. Enter Constance.

This bag is perfection. The cost of perfection? About the same as my perfect spring shoe wardrobe. Say goodbye to these...

balloons

filled with air, ready to fly away and grounded by nothing more than a delicate string.

there is something magical and fragile about balloons that has me always dreaming of new adventures.

Russian Kool-Aid

Okay. It's becoming a problem. I can't stop drinking the Russian Kool-Aid. Could it be because it's made with vodka?

So, Natasha Goldenberg. Why do I love her so?

I think it's because she is how I would dress if I incorporated even a drop of color in my sea of black, grey, white and the occasional splash of navy and wore accessories.

i heart RUSSIAN BFFs

my best friend is russian so i can say with some authority that russians love their high fashion.

i learned this early on. my best friend's mom was exhibit a. the original posh spice. a doctor who headed up the psychiatric department at a major hospital in chanel heels. she was no joke.

if an MD can school me in fashion, imagine what i can learn from these Russian BFFs who actually live and breathe fashion.

i present you exhibits b and c, Miroslava Duma and Natasha Goldenberg....

S*I*S*T*E*R*S

my sister and i are pretty similar (at least fashion-wise). from afar, some might think we're practically identical. there is no denying that we share a sensibility for dressing and maintain a similar aesthetic.
there is a common thread in our love of all things oversized - bags, glasses, shoes - and, of course, as a nod to our new york upbringing, our undying devotion to the color black. while we gravitate towards the same thing, we definitely inject our own brand of style.
so, i'm excited when i finally make my move to the west coast and we can start sharing clothes again. there's nothing like doubling your wardrobe with the only person who truly gets you.

sarah's house

not just hgtv. canadian HGTV. why, you ask. well, there's this programme called sarah's house. it follows the complete transformation of a home from start to finish.

the season begins with the purchase of some drab, rather unfortunate house. each episode tackles a different room in the house until the season finale, when you see the culmination. the vision. all the pieces of the puzzle. complete.

there's not a day that goes by when i don't dream of doing the very same thing (again).

in 2007, i embarked on a renovation and a half. a grandma unit (translation: complete and total overhaul). this, of course, was exactly what i wanted. two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths with south and west exposures (translation: tons of light!), original hardwood floors and crown mouldings. built in 1924, the apartment was in an art deco building situated at one corner of a beautiful public square. la colombe (translation: best coffee in the country) was an elevator ride away and so were some of the city's best restaurants. let's not even mention the barney's next door.

sounds perfect, right? it was. it was philly perfect. an 18-month experiment it would turn out to be because the minute the paint dried and the reno was complete, all i wanted to do was pack my things (mostly into storage) and return to ny. it was fun while it lasted.

i call this...how i spent my summer 2007 (as well as fall 2007, winter 2008, spring 2008, summer 2008, and fall 2008).

Cher's main thrill in life is a makeover, it gives her a sense of control in a world full of chaos.
-Dion